Plainfield schools take action against rare virus threat

Plainfield school sports schedules likely will be shifted because of the discovery in town of mosquitoes infected with Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

GREG SMITH

Plainfield school sports schedules likely will be shifted because of the discovery in town of mosquitoes infected with Eastern Equine Encephalitis.

The state announced Tuesday mosquitoes carrying the EEE virus had been found in Cedar Swamp in Plainfield. Though the virus is rare -- there has never been a documented case in humans in this state -- it is fatal in one-third of people who become ill.

AT A GLANCE

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

The Agricultural Experiment Station lists trapping sites, the number of mosquitoes trapped, and what they carried: www.ct.gov/caes
The CDC fact sheet describes the disease and incidence: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/arbor/eeefact.htm

EEE:

Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a mosquito-borne viral disease. EEE virus (EEEV) occurs in the eastern half of the United States where it causes disease in humans, horses and some bird species. Because of the high mortality rate, EEE is regarded as one of the most serious mosquito-borne diseases in the United States.
EEEV is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. It generally takes from 3 to 10 days to develop symptoms of EEE after being bitten by an infected mosquito.
The main EEEV transmission cycle is between birds and mosquitoes.

RISK GROUPS:

Residents of and visitors to areas with an established presence of the virus.)
People who engage in outdoor work and recreational activities in affected areas
Persons older than 50 and younger than 15 seem to be at greatest risk for developing severe EEE when infected with the virus.

REDUCE THE RISKS:

Minimize time spent outdoors around dusk and dawn when mosquitoes are most active.
Be sure door and window screens are tight fitting and in good repair.
Wear shoes, socks, long pants and a long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time or when mosquitoes are most active. Clothing should be light colored and made of tightly woven materials that keep mosquitoes away from the skin.
Use mosquito netting when sleeping outdoors or in an unscreened structure and to protect small babies when outdoors.
Consider the use of mosquito repellent, according to label instructions, when it is necessary to be outdoors.
Caution should be taken when camping overnight, especially in areas near freshwater swamps. When camping outdoors in tents in other areas, make sure that your tent is equipped with mosquito netting and that repellent is used properly.
These measures also help to protect against infection with West Nile Virus, another virus transmitted by mosquitoes.

Source:Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection

Plainfield School Superintendent Mary Conway said the school is trying to be proactive and has sent a letter home to parents with a list of precautions.

Soccer games, meantime, may start earlier, cross-country routes may shift to avoid wooded areas, and even the coming football jamboree may start later.

Linda Colangelo, public information officer at the Northeast District Department of Health, said mosquitoes are more active at dawn and dusk.

"The bus routes we can't change, but we're trying to minimize the activity at dusk," Conway said. "It's going to be an ongoing process. We're not making any blanket changes. We're trying to monitor the situation and not put kids in situations where they're exposed."

Symptoms include high fever, stiff neck, headache and lack of energy. The most serious result of infection is encephalitis, or swelling of the brain, and is fatal in one-third of persons who become ill.

While not unexpected, the instances of mosquitoes testing positive has become more prevalent, state Department of Environmental Protection Mosquito Management Coordinator Roger Wolfe. In 2006, EEE-infected mosquitoes were found in North Stonington, Stonington and Woodbridge.

EEE is more dangerous to human health than West Nile Virus. While about 12 percent to 15 percent of people who are bitten by a mosquito with West Nile come down with symptoms, there's a 50 percent chance when one is bitten by a mosquito with EEE.

Reach Greg Smith at 425-4219 or gasmith@norwichbulletin.com

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